Killer Party (1986)

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

Attempting to pledge a sorority, a group of friends decides to join the other sorority members in transforming a nearby deserted house into an April Fools gag house, and when a mysterious killer shows up the dwindling survivors fight back against the deadly intruder.This here was one of the best examples of the cheesy slasher. What makes this one so much fun is the fact that this one absolutely revels in that atmosphere as there's a real abundance of it that just permeates the whole film. This one does it from the very beginning, hardly making its intentions subtle with the film-within-the-film opening and the ensuing dance number over the opening credits, although the fraternity members are also responsible for some more of this, as they continue to prank out the sorority throughout the beginning to some really funny moments. The sequence at the staff meeting starts out hilarious and soon becomes even more so, and from the boys' opening prank to their hazing ritual and then onto the house pranks themselves all the way to the general atmosphere and tone this is barely a dent in the film's cheesiness. When it's not being funny, there are some good slasher moments as well including the early stalking in the sorority, the professor's shocking encounter in the basement and the way that just about all the deaths occur during the party allows it to just be over-the-top fun. There's just a ton of action in that scene, as the killer gets going and seems to kill someone every five minutes and that just makes it seem all the more fast-paced as just about the entire cast is knocked off in rapid fashion and the great stalking and supernatural destruction throughout make it really exciting. The killer's costume itself is quite imposing, with the whole body hidden behind an ancient diving suit that is big and bulky, giving it the perfect creepy appearance. The best plus, though, is it's undeniably cheesy charm since there are a few problems with this one that comes up. The most glaring flaw here is the aforementioned cheesiness. While this is one of the film's best virtue, the fact that so much of it is quite silly does present it with some problems. The first is that the film jumps around in tone quite often and becomes a little disorienting at times. Another thing is that it stops the film cold to include these inserts and disrupt the flow of the film even more so. Though it produces one of the funniest gags, the staff meeting didn't need to be there, nor did the fraternity's adventures with the sorority. These just stop the film to include them and don't really contribute anything beyond some laughs, and could easily have been snipped. As well, the film features practically zero blood or gore and all of the kills are just bland and bloodless or carried out off-screen only to stumble upon them later which does take a lot of the sting out of the situation. The other big problem is that the ending is a little confusing. There's way too much happening and it becomes a little disorienting when it switches over to something else quite rapidly. Those are the film's real problems.Rated R: Language, Violence, Nudity and drug use.

I really don't know where to start with this movie. I suppose the opening music video scene was kind of a gas. I mean if a movie opened like that today the audience would want to convict the filmmakers. So corny and cheesy you think your actually at that concession stand. Then there is the hot tub scene. Perhaps back in 1986 it was OK to toss a jar of angry hornets over a fence into the back yard of a sorority while the girls sit helpless in a hot tub then laugh and film them as they are stung repeatedly and run for cover. Or could it be just another bit of bad writing. I mean forget the fact that people can die from bee stings but the ridiculous manner in which it was portrayed leaves me just wondering why. Why after twenty years after I first watched this movie did I feel the need to watch it again? I like 80s horror, and while it might seem I'm being very hard on this movie, the fact is, I think I actually enjoy it. When I take myself out of my mature brain for the duration and focus on the adolescent kid that once worked at a video store that still lives deep inside me I find this movie makes me smile. It's like a frosted mini wheat. My serious, mature side picks apart the absurdities for unrealistic and shameful while my frosted side just can't stop loving a good cheese fest! Go ahead, ignore the obvious liberties the filmmakers took and just watch a bunch of college buffoons fumble about their sexuality, insecurities and fears and get slaughtered with good old fashioned practical special FX. (I still have my old VHS copy too).

Killer Party is one of those titles that does not often get mentioned when people discuss 80s slasher movies.It's relatively unknown yet seems to have a loyal following amongst its fans. Filmed in 1984 under the title The April Fool but not released until 1986, Killer Party is three films rolled into one.It begins as a music video, then becomes a college comedy filled with sex jokes and pranks. It is only in the final hour that it fully becomes a horror movie. We cannot go any farther into a discussion on Killer Party without mentioning the characters. One of the main reasons that the movie has a loyal fan base is because almost every character is likable. Our three main characters (Jennifer, Phoebe, and Vivia) are friends and are pledging the same sorority. The actresses playing those roles are great and the viewer feels as if they truly are friends. Their dialogue and banter is realistic. They care for each other and we cheer for them to survive.Jennifer is the studious, sensible one. Phoebe is excitable one and goes along with the group, and Vivia is the nerdy prankster.The actress who played Vivia, Sherry Willis-Burch, was also in the 1981 slasher movie Final Exam.The girls must go through the typical sorority hazing and tasks in order to become members. The most memorable line from the movie comes from a scene in which the snotty head of the sorority, Veronica (Alicia Fleer) tells the girls that when asked a question in class, they must respond by saying "I myself prefer a big, fat cucumber." Oh those wacky sororities and sexual innuendos. There are also great secondary characters like Professor Zito, played by the always entertaining Paul Bartel, Martin played by Ralph Seymour and Blake played by Martin Hewitt.Bartel is probably best known to genre fans as the director/star of the cult classic Eating Raul, Chopping Mall, Death Race 2000 and Piranha. He also directed one of my personal favorite horror movies, Private Parts. Ralph Seymour was also in the 1980 backwoods slasher classic, Just Before Dawn.The criticism of Killer Party is that it takes much too long to become a horror movie. While I see that point, I do not mind because I like the characters enough and enjoy the comedy aspects of the film. It all depends on your moods and tastes, but I am never bored whenever I sit down to watch it. The final half of the movie takes places at an abandoned frat house which was the site of a fraternity prank gone wrong 20 years before.Does this tragedy from the past have something to do with the recent killings? Could be...All of the before mentioned comedy hi-jinx makes the final 30 minutes all the more surprising and affective.It is a jolt to the viewer when our killer begins to dispatch the remaining characters without a hint of humour. In fact, I would argue the final act of Killer Party is one of the best found in a slasher movie.I remember watching it for the first time in an edited form on TBS in 1989 and was amazed by the performance of the killer. I won't reveal who that is. No spoilers here. Special mention should be made of the two main songs featured in the movie. The first is April by the band White Sister. It is a catchy tune in the rousing tradition of 80s hair rock. All depending on your feelings toward said hair rock, you'll either enjoy it or hate it. I personally love the song and listen to it occasionally. However, April is just a warm up to what is the theme song of Killer Party: a song that goes by the name These Are The Best Times of Our Lives. Those who have seen the movie know the song and if you haven't, you will soon know it the minute you hear it.I'm a fan of cheesy songs from horror movies and These are the Best Times is pure cheese but it also happens to be one of my favorite songs ever in a movie. Try not to sing along...I dare you. Currently Killer Party does not have an official DVD release but is a part of the Warner Archives.My old VHS copy has seen better days but I return to it like an old friend I have known for years. While not one of the greatest horror movies by any means, slasher fans and horror fans in general could do much worse than seeking out this movie. You may even find yourself preferring a big, fat cucumber after watching this.My rating based on nostalgia and love for the movie: 10/10 My rating as a non biased slasher fan 7/10

"Killer Party" will never be confused with a good horror movie. This scatter shot affair tries to accomplish way too much, and for the most part misses the entertainment mark by a wide margin. Dozens of characters with little or no development are cavorting around an old fraternity house trying to have an April Fools Party. Unfortunately a demoniacally possessed sorority sister and a killer in a deep sea diving outfit spoil the fun. Throw in an opening that tries to be clever, but only serves to stretch an overlong running time. The usual college pranks take up the remainder of the first hour, while divide and slaughter (off screen of course) killings fill the last 30 minutes. The presence of Paul Bartel is one of the lone bright spots, with his film on the danger of hazing pranks being the best attempt at humor. - MERK